‘Eco sexy' rooms and urban beaches: How to make the most of your Amsterdam trip
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Loading... - Beatrice Serra
- 13 Jul 2022
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With its gorgeous streets strung together by trams, buses and bike lanes, Amsterdam is both a travel and transport-lover's dream.
Appreciation for the Netherlands’ capital is on the up. It now ranks as the world’s ninth most liveable city according to the Economist’s annual rankings. ‘Liveable’ is on the tip of tourists’ tongues too, but it’s damning with faint praise - the greater impression is of a truly calm place to exist in.
Known as ‘the Venice of the North’, Amsterdam has more than 160 canals and 1,200 bridges criss-crossing them. This loose grid system can make it tricky for visitors to get their bearings, as there are countless elegant houses, bars and coffee shops budding off each street.
The bountiful number of transport options does come with the slight risk of needing eyes in the back of your head as they all buzz around you, walking through the more central parts. But paying attention to your surroundings is only ever rewarding in a city as beautiful as Amsterdam.
Summer is a brilliant time to visit as it brings the city’s parks and bodies of water to life. Having spent an unusually hot few days across the North Sea this year, here are my best tips for where to sleep, eat, drink and stay cool.
Where are the best places to stay in Amsterdam?
As with any European capital, holidaymakers are not short on places to rest their heads in Amsterdam. Given the competition, hotels are doing more and more to distinguish themselves.
These three places all have a strong concept, stay true to their visions of hospitality and offer a little something extra to your stay.
Volkshotel
Located just a few minutes metro ride from Centraal Station - and a stroll away from the lovely Oosterpark - Volkshotel is a supremely fun place to base yourself. It might not look like much from the outside (though a portico with a monkey drinking beer atop a seagull gives a flavour of its kookiness). The exterior couldn’t be further from the Grand Budapest Hotel, but the busy inner workings of this former newspaper HQ certainly had a Wes Anderson feel.
As well as several hotel floors, a cutaway picture would show people bathing in the rooftop hot tubs, dining in the stylish Canvas restaurant, typing away in the workspace studios, and dancing in the basement. I enjoyed all minus the work for this Dutch dispatch, and it really felt like more of an all-in-one-experience than just a hotel.
With incredible panoramic views, delicious food and cocktails, Canvas is a destination for locals too. And no doubt the open plan workspace is a buzzing spot for creatives and digital nomads. Guests can access all areas and activities, though are themselves tucked away with a secure card system. Read More...
